Monday, December 7, 2009

I tell people all the time that Sean and I are continually learning here in Chicago.

It amazes me how much we have learned in our short time here and I know there are many more lessons to come.

I was telling my mom on her last visit here that the thing that God has been putting on my heart the most is this: People need love.

It seems simple, but the more God has opened my eyes and my heart I realize that people really aren't given love that often.

When people are given love it is based on performance, conditions, or requirements. From what I have observed I don't think people are freely offered unconditional love.

I think a majority of people go throughout their days thinking about themselves, their to-do lists, their families, their job obligations, etc.

We ask one another in check out lines "How are you doing today" but no one ever gives a real answer, we typically throw out the "I'm fine" - which should be code for "not good". And when someone does give a real answer it makes us feel uncomfortable.

But as I said earlier, The Lord is at work in The DeWitts and He is all about molding our lives to look more like His and less like the world.

Recently, Sean began talking to me about a girl that he worked with at Starbucks. (For those of you who didn't know my amazing husband worked at Starbucks when we moved here, it was an incredible experience for us - it taught us a lot and allowed me to see Sean as a true servant of the Lord). Sean's former co-worker is pregnant with her second child, experiencing pregnancy complications, and her husband has recently lost his job. He keep saying he felt like he needed to do something, but wasn't sure what. I have to be honest and say that the first few times he mentioned this I listened but never really took heart. I keep thinking it's getting close to the Holidays, people are already on tight budgets because of the economy, what could we really offer, and that it might be uncomfortable asking people to help. Basically I was being a jerk and putting limitations on the Lord.

So the more we discussed it the more we prayed about it. After much prayer Sean reached out to our friends and family back home. He wrote a beautiful email asking for prayer support and financial support from those that could help. What an incredible response we received! So many people sent gift cards to grocery stores, gift cards to Toys R Us, and monetary gifts.

This past Saturday Sean and I were able to met up with his former co-worker. Sean had sent her a text to let her know we had a gift for the baby. Before we left we prayed that the Lord would make this moment His and most importantly that she wouldn't see our faces on this gift, but Christ's. We arrived to the coffee shop, said hi, and had some causal chit chat. Then Sean began to ask her how she was doing. Not a quick "hey how's it going" question, but a real and sincere question. I loved watching that moment, watching the Lord speak thru my husband and reach out to another human. After listening to her describe what had been going on in their lives Sean quietly said that we had been praying for her and her family. And that we had reached out to some of our family and friends back home and that we all wanted to give her and her family a gift for Christmas. She barley opened the envelope before closing it back up and starring at us. She spent about a minute speechless looking back and forth between our eyes. It was one of the coolest moments I've experienced. No words were needed, but we felt the love and thanks that was in her heart. As soon as she gathered herself we were all hugging and crying (except for Sean who says that female emotions make him uncomfortable). She kept saying "How did you all do this", "Why did you all do this", "You don't know how much this means to my family", etc. We simply explained that we wanted to help and that we had friends and family that also wanted to help. That it was our joy to help her. And it truly was the sweetest joy I've ever felt.

As we left and went about the rest of our Saturday errands I began to realize that this is what the world needs more of. More people sharing God's unconditional love, more men like Sean who not only hear the call from Christ, but act upon it at the right time. More people like our friends and family that are so willing to step up and help, despite the cost or circumstance. I told Sean that I wish that everyday of my life could be like that moment...sharing hope and joy with others. For I know that I would be a different woman if that was my life. Maybe it can't be everyday but I hope it becomes more common. I hope I am open to the Lord's desire for my life. Our pastor said this past Sunday that "obedience is doing what God wants, when God wants it, with a God honoring attitude. And the secret to obedience is....love." Tonight I pray for obedience to God's will for my life and always unconditional love for his people.

Thursday, October 29, 2009

I haven't posted in a while and have lots of stories to tell, but tonight I just want to share what Sean and I have been praying for.

Please feel free to leave us a message if we can be praying for you and please feel free to send up a prayer for us too!

Here is what has been our hearts lately..

Sean's PHD program - It seems a little crazy to already be thinking about what school Sean should get his PHD from considering that he is in his 9th week of his Masters Program! We found out pretty soon after starting the Masters program that different schools have different requirements for their PHD programs...so if you find a school you like you better have met all of their requirements. Sean and I really like living in Wheaton, but we aren't sure if Wheaton College will be the best choice for Sean to get his PHD from based on his career goals post-school. Our main prayer is that we go wherever God wants us to be. I tell Sean quite frequently that it doesn't matter where his diploma is from - God will use him however He sees fit. We've been asking God to reveal to us where he would like us in the 2nd stage of graduate school. There are lots of options; options to stay up north & options to move back down south. Of course my heart gets a little giddy thinking about being in the South, but I really am at ease knowing He is going to take us where He desires.

Love for People - so Sean and I have both entered into new work environments and are surrounded by lots of different types of people (Let's use the phrase "non-southerners") We have both been really challenged to have positive attitudes and serving hearts, not because we aren't use to different types of people, but we both work in stressful/chaotic environments. (Today especially - I prayed for lots of love for people!). Sean and I desire to be different, to show people that we are living for something other than worldly desires, but it can be really hard to do that. I must say that God has truly blessed me by providing two wonderful and caring co-workers! I love these new girls and am very grateful to get to work with them everyday. I think the biggest challenge in jobs and careers can be deciding to have a positive attitude and deciding to love people during times of frustration and misunderstanding. I'm trying to teach my mind and heart to love those that frustrate me and hurt me. Not easy, but I'm trying.

Family - Our family is incredible and we are truly blessed to have them. Both sides of our family have had lots of big changes lately and Sean and I have been praying that God will guide all of their decisions. We pray that he will ease their stress and show them grace thru challenging times. We also pray for all of our nieces and nephews that they would have Godly parents who show them Christ's love and that they would one day have a personal relationship with God.

Hannah Grace - my long time friend, Jennifer Reeves (Watson) got married this past summer and had the sweetest little girls in her wedding as flower-girls. One of the little girls recently became very ill. Jen has been posting updates on Twitter and Hannah has been on my heart quite a bit. This past week Jen sent me a link to Hannah's parent's blog. I spent my entire Monday evening reading every post. It is just incredible what this little girl has been thru and how strong her family has been. It's amazing to read the emotions expressed in one blog...hurt...sadness...misunderstanding...grace...love...hope... all in one post. Sean and I continue to pray for her and I love to come home from work and read the blog and see how she is doing that day. I pray that God heals her body, provides her comfort and peace now, that she isn't feeling any pain, and continues to give her parents strength, and the doctors wisdom in their actions and decisions. Please be sure to pray for Miss Hannah if you get a chance!

Friends - Sean and I have lots of wonderful friends that we love to pray for. We pray that God would guide their actions, that they would be seeking Him in their daily lives. It's a very exciting and different time for our group of friends. We've had lots of friends move, graduate, take on new responsibilities, new jobs, etc. We miss getting to be around them, but hope they know how much we love and miss them. We both try to stay in touch with friends (the only good part about my 2 hour commute = lots of good phone time!) and always want to know how we can be praying for them. So let us know what we can be praying for you about!

I have lots of more prayers to share, but I want to include a cool passage from a John Piper book that Sean and I are reading right now. The book is called "Pierced by the Word"

Pg. 15

"But let us not tell Jesus what love is. Let us not instruct Him how He should love us and make us central. Let us learn from Jesus what love is and what our true well-being is. Love is doing whatever you need to do to help people see and savor the glory of God in Christ forever and ever. Love keeps God central. Because the soul was made for God."

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

We went to Cleveland to see Sean's family - got to spend lots of quality time with everyone, went to the Cleveland Zoo and even saw a few dinosaurs!

Sleepy Rhino!

Sleepy Sea Lions!

Cute Polar Bear!

Mr. Lane playing with his new Dinosaur toys - he can name them all for you!

Funniest picture of the weekend! Mr. Lane's camera smile! I think he was a little frightened of this big guy!

Mr. Lukey laughing up a storm and holding his hands! Laughing at his Ninny!

Thinking deeply about something - love that he is holding his hands!

Love the hat!

The Cleveland Zoo has a really cool Dinosaur exhibit and Mr. Lane was all about it!

Love this face!

T Rex!

And last weekend Sean and I took a trip into the city for our 6 month anniversary & to celebrate my birthday. We had lots of fun just walking around the city and chatting about life!

We also got to see our friends Mat and Kelsey Hency who were in town visiting Mat's brother. It was great to have some Arkansas company and to cheer on the hogs with our friends! Next time I will remember to take a picture of all of us!

The Bean

View from our Room!

Our Cool Hotel - it was attached to one of the Theaters

More Dinosaurs! Just hanging out in Millennium Park on a SaturdayCool view from the Art Institute

We would love to go to a concert here! So if you're in town call us up!

Even though we are having lots of fun we do miss our family & friends! So come visit soon!

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Sorry for the delay in the post, but it has taken me a while to get settled.

It actually didn't take me long to get everything unpacked and placed around the condo (thanks to my wonderful parents & my OCD-ness), but it has taken me a while to process this new stage in our lives.

The new place is great (still getting use to the linoleum floors - these things are hard to clean!), but we are definitely ready for visitors so please start making plans to come see us! Clean sheets and towels await you!

We really like the area, it is very cute! There are lots of little quaint shops, restaurants, pretty houses, and fun parks! The only real complaint we have is that there is no good mexican restaurants. At this point I would give my right arm for some cheese dip from La Hacienda! So if you are coming up please bring some with you!

We have been to the city twice now. Each time we have taken the Metra which is fun & interesting! Typically there are lots of loud children and on our last journey a man feel asleep next to me and drooled all over his shirt! A sight to see! Don't worry Sean took pictures if you want to see!

We've visited Michigan Avenue, Navy Pier, & Aquarium! The Aquarium was really fun, but a little crowed on a Saturday with all the kidos! We definitely want to try out all the other museums!

Sean has started his grad classes and you can now find him reading, reading, & reading. My next purchase will be to get him a desk lamp even though he insists that he doesn't need one.

I will hopefully begin working soon. My office is about 45 min away, but the drive really isn't too bad. Perks about my new job, there are windows! Those that have worked at Walmart know that this is a big deal! More info will come after I start!

Things here are going well, but I am definitely missing family and friends back in AR. I hope everyone visits soon! We really do want all of our friends/family to come see us here! Also I've just downloaded SKYPE so all those who want to chat Tuesday/Thursday are great for me!

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

As I've said in my previous posts we have a very cute home! Sean and I are very blessed to get to live where we do & are sad to be leaving our home. Included are a few photos of our home and the recent decorating that I've done. For those of you who were familiar with Sean's bachelor pad before we were married you will notice quite a bit more color, glass vases, and flowers.

Monday, July 27, 2009

2. Friends - another given - I am beyond blessed with a great group of friends! Loud, crazy, dramatic, and fun!

3. Fellowship - I am going to miss our church

very much, hope to find a great church family in Wheaton.

The following are in no particular order

4. Walmart - I'm from NWA and I'm a big fan of getting everything you need in one store.

5. Chick-Fil-A - I love me some Chick-Fil-A fries and a sweet tea

6. The Hogs - I've been a Razorback fan all my life and will miss watching the pigs play football this year. I am also going to miss tailgating with the hood and my family.

7. Fall in Fayetteville - it doesn't get any prettier than Fayetteville during the fall

8. Sonic - I should invest in Sonic based on the number of visits I pay them each week. Special shout out to my sonic friends on Walton - you guys have gotten me thru my year at Walmart.

9. Glo - There is not another store that I love as much as Glo - probably cause one of my besties works there - Amy! I am definitely going to miss my visits here and all of the fabulous products!

10. Stone Mill Bread Company - everybody knows that this is my favorite sandwich shop! I am currently on a chicken salad sandwich kick (thanks Jen), but do love their soups and a grilled turkey sandwich! They also have amazing iced tea! I hear the north isn't too great with making iced tea!

11. Our Home - I love our little condo! We are very sad to be leaving our amazing little home - we've been very blessed, but I am excited to get to decorate a new home - I'll need help from all my friends with this so start booking your trips!

13. I can't forget my work friends! I am most definitely going to miss all of my coworkers! It's not very often that you truly enjoy the people you work with - Thanks for the great party last Friday Clare!

Things we are excited about doing in Chicago!

1. Chicago Cubs Baseball - based on the appearance of uniforms I have decided that we will be Cubs fans - can't wait to purchase my first cubs hat!

3. Eating at lots of yummy restaurants with Sean! We have been given lots of recommendations by people of where to eat, we will be sure to try them all out, and to discover where the best pizza is in Chicago.

4. Shopping - now we are about to be on a entirely new type of budget but I do hope to get in some good outlet shopping! I saw a Crate and Barrel outlet on our last visit to Naperville

5. Concerts - We have heard that there are lots of great concerts in Chicago - Sean wants to definitely see Josh Ritter while we are there.

6. Zoos and Museums - Sean and I are very excited about his family visiting us in Chicago - and we are looking forward to taking his nephew Lane to all of the different museums and aquariums!

7. Sean's family will only be 5.5 hours away now so we are excited about getting to see them more often!

8. Basically I want to visit all the art galleries, museums, comedy clubs, and historical monuments that Chicago has to offer!

9. I am very excited for all of our friends and family to visit us! I hope we have lots of visitors and plan on posting a visitor calendar soon so people can begin booking their trips!

10. I look forward to making Wheaton our new home, becoming familiar with the area, walking around town and Sean's campus. Maybe even buying a house down the road!

Thursday, July 23, 2009

For the most part I truly enjoy being a grown up or at least semi-grown up. But there are a few drawbacks...tires. Tires may be one of the least fun purchases ever. For starters they are expensive and boring. They definitely aren't a fun purchase. You can't play with them, you can't try them on, they aren't even fun to show off. Luckily Sean has made my first tire buying experience a little easier. He kindly traded cars with me today and bought me four brand new tires. Now my drive to and from work will be much safer...as long as the slow drivers stay out of my way! So thanks to a great husband who not only cooks my meals but fixes my car!

About Us

Sean and I were married on March 21, 2009. We are about to make a big move to Chicago. Sean will be starting the masters program at Wheaton College and I will be joining the corporate world in the Windy City. We are excited to see what the Lord has planned for us and know we are about to learn a lot about Him and our relationship. We also think that we will be Cubs fans too!